Torchwood Fic: Lynchpin (6/7)
Title: Lynchpin (6/7)
Pairing: Jack/Ianto
Rating: R/NC17
Warning: None
Spoilers: 1.04: Cyberwoman. Set after 2.09 but before series finale. Passing references to events throughout both series but nothing really that spoilery.
Summary: Torchwood Four want their lynchpin back. Just what has that got to do with Ianto Jones?
Beta: rakina
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em - unfortunately
Links previous parts:
Chapter 1 - http://hel-bee.livejournal.com/21730.html#cutid1
Chapter 2 - http://hel-bee.livejournal.com/21983.html
Chapter 3 - http://hel-bee.livejournal.com/22206.html
Chapter 4 - http://hel-bee.livejournal.com/22346.html
Chapter 5 - http://hel-bee.livejournal.com/22782.html
Chapter Six
Snippet: Owen made to argue but Jack didn’t give him the chance. “Anything else you’d like to tell me, Ianto? I don’t know - maybe you’ve a lovechild with the pterodactyl?”
Batting Jack’s hands away, Ianto slid off the mortuary slab and finished fastening his shirt. “You can stop fussing, I’m perfectly all right,” he insisted, knotting his tie and slipping his jacket back on.
Jack just looked at him, annoyed. “I suppose you’re going to tell me that your alien physiology normally reacts this way. I’ve seen you gasping and panting and your heart has never beaten that fast.”
“There is such a thing as too much information,” muttered Owen. “Besides, Ianto’s pulse and blood pressure have already returned to normal. Well, normal for him. He’s always had slightly higher vitals than the rest of us. Least I know why now. “
Jack was not to be swayed. “What species are you?”
“Mostly human,” Ianto replied tersely. “How about you?”
“Could you guys leave this till later? I’d like to subject Ianto to some more tests...” began Owen.
“No!” snapped Ianto. “I know you, Owen, you want to find out why you didn’t realise before. Just face facts, I’m human enough for Torchwood, and anything I don’t want you to know you won’t find out.”
Owen made to argue but Jack didn’t give him the chance. “Anything else you’d like to tell me, Ianto? I don’t know - maybe you’ve a lovechild with the pterodactyl?”
“Look, Jack, we’ve got bigger things to worry about than your hurt feelings. I promise I’ll tell everything once we’ve sealed the rift crack.”
Jack clenched his fist angrily; annoyed both with Ianto and the fact he was right. However, Ianto was clearly unconcerned with Jack’s reaction; he was already back upstairs and talking to Henshaw.
“Give Tosh all the details you have. Her rift predictor programme is the best shot we have at finding the ideal place to seal the crack.”
“We’re planning to use a high level psychic shield. It’s the easiest solution,” Henshaw informed Ianto before following Tosh to her computer. The rest of Torchwood Four fell in behind Ianto who led them to the conference room.
Ianto turned to Jack. “You coming?”
Pushing away his frustration and desire to slowly wring Ianto’s neck, Jack nodded curtly, entering the conference room behind Rosaline and taking his usual seat at the head of the table. Gwen and Owen joined them and the room began to feel a little crowded. It became even more so when Tosh and Henshaw arrived a few moments later.
Jack glared openly at Henshaw, his professional demeanour forgotten. “You have the floor. What’s the plan?”
With Tosh’s help Henshaw brought up the screen showing the rift predictor program. “As I have explained to Captain Harkness and my own team, the rift that runs under Cardiff appears to have an additional schism or a crack, if you like, that has been causing problems. If we don’t seal it more of a so-far unidentified alien race with significant paranormal and psychic abilities will come through. Toshiko believes that the predictor programme,” he pointed to the screen, “can pinpoint where it would be best to erect a psychic shield to close this crack.”
“Unlike the rift,” began Tosh, “the crack has a different, more subtle, energy pattern that was previously obscured by the main rift activity. I’ve retuned the programme and so far it looks like there is a small, but permanent, opening of the rift - though it’s like nothing we’ve witnessed before. It will only be a matter of minutes before we can decipher exactly where in Cardiff it is manifesting.”
“So how will this psychic shield work?” asked Jack, his need to understand outweighing his dislike of the involvement of Torchwood Four.
“Since we believe that it is the aliens' psychic ability that allowed them to open the crack in the first place, I think our best chance of sealing it is to block it like we would any other incursion of this kind. Think of it as a physical projection of a shutter many empaths use to block out the thoughts of others,” explained Henshaw.
“Sounds like we’re trying to wallpaper over a crack,” said Gwen simply.
“Or applying a bloody large sticky-plaster,” agreed Owen.
Jack looked at Ianto as the Welshman made a soft humming noise. “The shield would need reapplying at set intervals. This is by no means a permanent solution,” Ianto pointed out.
“Unfortunately, it’s the only one we’ve got. With the limited information we have there’s no way we can attempt to alter the crack and, by extension the rift, without the risk of causing more damage.”
Toshiko nodded. “Philip’s right. At least with the information he’s given me we can monitor the crack and the shield for any change in the future. And I do have an expert to call on if I need assistance,” she added, smiling at Ianto.
There was a loud ‘beep’ which indicated that the rift predictor programme had finished. Tosh hurried over to inspect the findings and frowned. “You’ve got to be joking.”
Jack was on his feet and by her side in an instant. “What's wrong, Tosh?”
“Nothing, it’s just... weird. The site is in Bute Park. Right over the Gorsedd Circle.”
“The what?” asked Owen.
Tosh stared at him over her glasses. “It's a modern day megalith. It was erected by druids for use in their ceremonies, but many scholars believe it was originally a prehistoric site from which the stones had been removed.”
“Do you think its siting is significant?” questioned Henshaw.
Tosh shook her head. “I doubt it - probably a coincidence.”
“And of course the whole place will be crawling with tourists,” groused Jack. “Okay, Gwen, call the police and get them to close the park and move the people of the way. I get the feeling this is not something you want a whole lot of people watching.”
“Exactly right, Captain,” agreed Henshaw. “I suggest we make a start as soon as possible.”
Owen volunteered to stay behind to monitor the rift, but Jack overruled him, stating that he wanted the doctor on hand - just in case. Instead Tosh was to man the Hub while the others crammed into the SUV and Ianto’s Audi.
The police had already secured the area by the time the two Torchwood teams arrived. Jack heard mutterings about ‘bloody Torchwood’ from two constables who’d drawn the short straw of standing watch over the police line, clearly pissed off and wanting to get back to the police station for tea. Jack led the way through the park towards the castle and the Gorsedd Circle.
Owen stopped abruptly when he saw it. “When Tosh said it was a megalith I kind of expected something... more.”
Ianto jostled Owen playfully as he went passed. “That’s the trouble with you, Owen: want, want, want. Never satisfied.”
Jack had to admit it was not the most impressive site, but there was an air about the place that unnerved him. The nine smallish stones sat in a circle surrounding a rectangular slab, potentially an altar or a plinth of some sort.
Torchwood Four were already taking up position around the circle and Ianto was talking to Henshaw and pointing at the middle slab. “I’ll sit in the middle, that way you can all see me and I can influence you better. Try and focus above my head to start with and ...”
“No,” said Henshaw as Jack approached. “You might get trapped.”
“As soon as the shield is formed I’ll get out of there. All you’ll need to do is lower it and anchor it in place.”
“I’m still not happy.” Henshaw had crossed his arms over his chest, his body language backing up his words.
Jack recognised an impasse when he saw one. “How about I sit with Ianto? When you give the word I guarantee you that I’ll drag his arse out of danger - I’m rather attached to it.”
Henshaw smirked, and Jack was fairly sure it was despite himself. “Deal.”
Ianto put his hands on his hips. “Am I not to be consulted?”
“No!” both Henshaw and Jack said together.
With an exasperated growl, Ianto threw his hands up into the air and stomped off to get himself comfortable on the slab.
“I see he’s still a handful,” said Henshaw as Ianto walked away.
“He certainly has his moments,” admitted Jack. “Stubborn bastard.”
Henshaw laughed. “But neither of us would change him.”
They exchanged a knowing smile and Jack set off after Ianto, wondering just how close his lover had been to Henshaw in the past.
Jack sat next to Ianto on the damp slab, thankful for his RAF coat to keep out the chill. Ianto still looked mightily annoyed. “So, anything I can do to help?” asked Jack.
“No.”
“Surely there’s...”
“Jack, I appreciate your concern, I really do. But all I need to do is sit here and let them work. My presence increases their capabilities and the link between them, I don’t actually do anything.”
Jack grabbed Ianto’s hand, and for once Ianto didn’t protest about inappropriate actions during work. “All right. But when I say run, you run.”
Ianto’s eye-roll in reply was all Jack needed to know he’d been forgiven. “Now, be quiet - it’s quite something to see.”
The six members of Torchwood Four stood surrounding them on the outskirts of the stone circle with their arms raised. Jack realised there was no need for vocal communication between them, Ianto’s little lynchpin routine had seen to that. One by one they sent out streams of light that intermingled above Jack and Ianto’s heads. The energy was beautiful and, unlike the last time in the autopsy bay, the control that each circle member exerted over it was much greater. The strands of light crossed each other, weaving in and out making a lattice, a psychic netting that would prevent Cardiff being overrun by aliens with a taste for mind control. The display overhead was truly beautiful and the soft humming noise it made was, at least to Jack’s ears, extremely comforting.
There was a loud buzz followed by a snapping noise. Jack’s head shot around to see one of the twins having trouble controlling the energy he was pouring into the matrix. Ianto immediately covered the distance to the circumference of the circle, standing in front of the clearly worried Michael. Jack saw Ianto extend his hand and place it on the other man’s shoulder. Almost instantaneously, Michael regained control, his energy pouring once again into the psychic shield that they were building. With an almost imperceptible nod Ianto broke contact with Michael and took a few steps backwards.
“Jack!” called Henshaw. “Time to get out of there.”
Jack shouted to Ianto: “Move your arse, Jones!”
Ianto didn’t even turn to look in Jack’s direction. Jack glanced upwards. The matrix was beginning to descend and he could see the circle members trying to hold it aloft as long as they could. Jack raced towards Ianto and grabbed his lover by the arm. He dragged Ianto away, flinging them both to the ground outside the boundary of the stone circle. Jack turned to look behind him; the shield had been lowered and it was inches from their feet. Ianto sat up, rubbing his forearm. “You okay?” Jack asked.
“Yeah, thanks for that. I was a little distracted... I’m all right now.”
They got to their feet and watched the shield sink into the grass, the glowing lattice disappearing from sight. “Jack,” came Tosh’s voice from his Bluetooth earpiece, “the crack appears to be sealed off. They’ve done it.”
Jack watched Ianto run off to congratulate Henshaw. There was a hollow feeling in his stomach. Surely Ianto belonged with Torchwood Four; his talents were wasted in Cardiff. Henshaw hugged Ianto enthusiastically and Jack wondered if it was time to give Ianto the option to leave.
TBC
AN: Here's some info on the Gorsedd Circle - if anyone’s interested!
https://tspace.library.utoronto.ca/citd/holtorf/7.1.html
Chapter 7 - http://hel-bee.livejournal.com/23143.html
Pairing: Jack/Ianto
Rating: R/NC17
Warning: None
Spoilers: 1.04: Cyberwoman. Set after 2.09 but before series finale. Passing references to events throughout both series but nothing really that spoilery.
Summary: Torchwood Four want their lynchpin back. Just what has that got to do with Ianto Jones?
Beta: rakina
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em - unfortunately
Links previous parts:
Chapter 1 - http://hel-bee.livejournal.com/21730.html#cutid1
Chapter 2 - http://hel-bee.livejournal.com/21983.html
Chapter 3 - http://hel-bee.livejournal.com/22206.html
Chapter 4 - http://hel-bee.livejournal.com/22346.html
Chapter 5 - http://hel-bee.livejournal.com/22782.html
Chapter Six
Snippet: Owen made to argue but Jack didn’t give him the chance. “Anything else you’d like to tell me, Ianto? I don’t know - maybe you’ve a lovechild with the pterodactyl?”
Batting Jack’s hands away, Ianto slid off the mortuary slab and finished fastening his shirt. “You can stop fussing, I’m perfectly all right,” he insisted, knotting his tie and slipping his jacket back on.
Jack just looked at him, annoyed. “I suppose you’re going to tell me that your alien physiology normally reacts this way. I’ve seen you gasping and panting and your heart has never beaten that fast.”
“There is such a thing as too much information,” muttered Owen. “Besides, Ianto’s pulse and blood pressure have already returned to normal. Well, normal for him. He’s always had slightly higher vitals than the rest of us. Least I know why now. “
Jack was not to be swayed. “What species are you?”
“Mostly human,” Ianto replied tersely. “How about you?”
“Could you guys leave this till later? I’d like to subject Ianto to some more tests...” began Owen.
“No!” snapped Ianto. “I know you, Owen, you want to find out why you didn’t realise before. Just face facts, I’m human enough for Torchwood, and anything I don’t want you to know you won’t find out.”
Owen made to argue but Jack didn’t give him the chance. “Anything else you’d like to tell me, Ianto? I don’t know - maybe you’ve a lovechild with the pterodactyl?”
“Look, Jack, we’ve got bigger things to worry about than your hurt feelings. I promise I’ll tell everything once we’ve sealed the rift crack.”
Jack clenched his fist angrily; annoyed both with Ianto and the fact he was right. However, Ianto was clearly unconcerned with Jack’s reaction; he was already back upstairs and talking to Henshaw.
“Give Tosh all the details you have. Her rift predictor programme is the best shot we have at finding the ideal place to seal the crack.”
“We’re planning to use a high level psychic shield. It’s the easiest solution,” Henshaw informed Ianto before following Tosh to her computer. The rest of Torchwood Four fell in behind Ianto who led them to the conference room.
Ianto turned to Jack. “You coming?”
Pushing away his frustration and desire to slowly wring Ianto’s neck, Jack nodded curtly, entering the conference room behind Rosaline and taking his usual seat at the head of the table. Gwen and Owen joined them and the room began to feel a little crowded. It became even more so when Tosh and Henshaw arrived a few moments later.
Jack glared openly at Henshaw, his professional demeanour forgotten. “You have the floor. What’s the plan?”
With Tosh’s help Henshaw brought up the screen showing the rift predictor program. “As I have explained to Captain Harkness and my own team, the rift that runs under Cardiff appears to have an additional schism or a crack, if you like, that has been causing problems. If we don’t seal it more of a so-far unidentified alien race with significant paranormal and psychic abilities will come through. Toshiko believes that the predictor programme,” he pointed to the screen, “can pinpoint where it would be best to erect a psychic shield to close this crack.”
“Unlike the rift,” began Tosh, “the crack has a different, more subtle, energy pattern that was previously obscured by the main rift activity. I’ve retuned the programme and so far it looks like there is a small, but permanent, opening of the rift - though it’s like nothing we’ve witnessed before. It will only be a matter of minutes before we can decipher exactly where in Cardiff it is manifesting.”
“So how will this psychic shield work?” asked Jack, his need to understand outweighing his dislike of the involvement of Torchwood Four.
“Since we believe that it is the aliens' psychic ability that allowed them to open the crack in the first place, I think our best chance of sealing it is to block it like we would any other incursion of this kind. Think of it as a physical projection of a shutter many empaths use to block out the thoughts of others,” explained Henshaw.
“Sounds like we’re trying to wallpaper over a crack,” said Gwen simply.
“Or applying a bloody large sticky-plaster,” agreed Owen.
Jack looked at Ianto as the Welshman made a soft humming noise. “The shield would need reapplying at set intervals. This is by no means a permanent solution,” Ianto pointed out.
“Unfortunately, it’s the only one we’ve got. With the limited information we have there’s no way we can attempt to alter the crack and, by extension the rift, without the risk of causing more damage.”
Toshiko nodded. “Philip’s right. At least with the information he’s given me we can monitor the crack and the shield for any change in the future. And I do have an expert to call on if I need assistance,” she added, smiling at Ianto.
There was a loud ‘beep’ which indicated that the rift predictor programme had finished. Tosh hurried over to inspect the findings and frowned. “You’ve got to be joking.”
Jack was on his feet and by her side in an instant. “What's wrong, Tosh?”
“Nothing, it’s just... weird. The site is in Bute Park. Right over the Gorsedd Circle.”
“The what?” asked Owen.
Tosh stared at him over her glasses. “It's a modern day megalith. It was erected by druids for use in their ceremonies, but many scholars believe it was originally a prehistoric site from which the stones had been removed.”
“Do you think its siting is significant?” questioned Henshaw.
Tosh shook her head. “I doubt it - probably a coincidence.”
“And of course the whole place will be crawling with tourists,” groused Jack. “Okay, Gwen, call the police and get them to close the park and move the people of the way. I get the feeling this is not something you want a whole lot of people watching.”
“Exactly right, Captain,” agreed Henshaw. “I suggest we make a start as soon as possible.”
Owen volunteered to stay behind to monitor the rift, but Jack overruled him, stating that he wanted the doctor on hand - just in case. Instead Tosh was to man the Hub while the others crammed into the SUV and Ianto’s Audi.
The police had already secured the area by the time the two Torchwood teams arrived. Jack heard mutterings about ‘bloody Torchwood’ from two constables who’d drawn the short straw of standing watch over the police line, clearly pissed off and wanting to get back to the police station for tea. Jack led the way through the park towards the castle and the Gorsedd Circle.
Owen stopped abruptly when he saw it. “When Tosh said it was a megalith I kind of expected something... more.”
Ianto jostled Owen playfully as he went passed. “That’s the trouble with you, Owen: want, want, want. Never satisfied.”
Jack had to admit it was not the most impressive site, but there was an air about the place that unnerved him. The nine smallish stones sat in a circle surrounding a rectangular slab, potentially an altar or a plinth of some sort.
Torchwood Four were already taking up position around the circle and Ianto was talking to Henshaw and pointing at the middle slab. “I’ll sit in the middle, that way you can all see me and I can influence you better. Try and focus above my head to start with and ...”
“No,” said Henshaw as Jack approached. “You might get trapped.”
“As soon as the shield is formed I’ll get out of there. All you’ll need to do is lower it and anchor it in place.”
“I’m still not happy.” Henshaw had crossed his arms over his chest, his body language backing up his words.
Jack recognised an impasse when he saw one. “How about I sit with Ianto? When you give the word I guarantee you that I’ll drag his arse out of danger - I’m rather attached to it.”
Henshaw smirked, and Jack was fairly sure it was despite himself. “Deal.”
Ianto put his hands on his hips. “Am I not to be consulted?”
“No!” both Henshaw and Jack said together.
With an exasperated growl, Ianto threw his hands up into the air and stomped off to get himself comfortable on the slab.
“I see he’s still a handful,” said Henshaw as Ianto walked away.
“He certainly has his moments,” admitted Jack. “Stubborn bastard.”
Henshaw laughed. “But neither of us would change him.”
They exchanged a knowing smile and Jack set off after Ianto, wondering just how close his lover had been to Henshaw in the past.
Jack sat next to Ianto on the damp slab, thankful for his RAF coat to keep out the chill. Ianto still looked mightily annoyed. “So, anything I can do to help?” asked Jack.
“No.”
“Surely there’s...”
“Jack, I appreciate your concern, I really do. But all I need to do is sit here and let them work. My presence increases their capabilities and the link between them, I don’t actually do anything.”
Jack grabbed Ianto’s hand, and for once Ianto didn’t protest about inappropriate actions during work. “All right. But when I say run, you run.”
Ianto’s eye-roll in reply was all Jack needed to know he’d been forgiven. “Now, be quiet - it’s quite something to see.”
The six members of Torchwood Four stood surrounding them on the outskirts of the stone circle with their arms raised. Jack realised there was no need for vocal communication between them, Ianto’s little lynchpin routine had seen to that. One by one they sent out streams of light that intermingled above Jack and Ianto’s heads. The energy was beautiful and, unlike the last time in the autopsy bay, the control that each circle member exerted over it was much greater. The strands of light crossed each other, weaving in and out making a lattice, a psychic netting that would prevent Cardiff being overrun by aliens with a taste for mind control. The display overhead was truly beautiful and the soft humming noise it made was, at least to Jack’s ears, extremely comforting.
There was a loud buzz followed by a snapping noise. Jack’s head shot around to see one of the twins having trouble controlling the energy he was pouring into the matrix. Ianto immediately covered the distance to the circumference of the circle, standing in front of the clearly worried Michael. Jack saw Ianto extend his hand and place it on the other man’s shoulder. Almost instantaneously, Michael regained control, his energy pouring once again into the psychic shield that they were building. With an almost imperceptible nod Ianto broke contact with Michael and took a few steps backwards.
“Jack!” called Henshaw. “Time to get out of there.”
Jack shouted to Ianto: “Move your arse, Jones!”
Ianto didn’t even turn to look in Jack’s direction. Jack glanced upwards. The matrix was beginning to descend and he could see the circle members trying to hold it aloft as long as they could. Jack raced towards Ianto and grabbed his lover by the arm. He dragged Ianto away, flinging them both to the ground outside the boundary of the stone circle. Jack turned to look behind him; the shield had been lowered and it was inches from their feet. Ianto sat up, rubbing his forearm. “You okay?” Jack asked.
“Yeah, thanks for that. I was a little distracted... I’m all right now.”
They got to their feet and watched the shield sink into the grass, the glowing lattice disappearing from sight. “Jack,” came Tosh’s voice from his Bluetooth earpiece, “the crack appears to be sealed off. They’ve done it.”
Jack watched Ianto run off to congratulate Henshaw. There was a hollow feeling in his stomach. Surely Ianto belonged with Torchwood Four; his talents were wasted in Cardiff. Henshaw hugged Ianto enthusiastically and Jack wondered if it was time to give Ianto the option to leave.
TBC
AN: Here's some info on the Gorsedd Circle - if anyone’s interested!
https://tspace.library.utoronto.ca/citd/holtorf/7.1.html
Chapter 7 - http://hel-bee.livejournal.com/23143.html